Verizon Announces LTE Deployment Plans - Going Live in 2010

Verizon's CTO, Dick Lynch has outlined the company's plans to roll out an LTE upgrade for its wireless network. Lynch announced that Verizon Wireless has selected Ericsson and Alcatel-Lucent as primary network vendors for its initial LTE network deployments. These two vendors are expected to build the underlying infrastructure that will enable Verizon Wireless to become the first wireless company to offer commercial LTE-based service in the United States, starting in 2010.

Lynch said, "Verizon Wireless' LTE network deployment will be driven by our vision of providing ubiquitous global wireless broadband connectivity and mobility. LTE enables us to continue to meet business customer demands for a higher bandwidth, low latency service that works broadly in the United States and globally, while helping us to meet consumer demand for mobilizing the many applications they frequently use when tethered to high bandwidth wired networks."

Verizon Wireless also announced that in addition to Ericsson and Alcatel-Lucent, Starent Networks has been selected as a packet core vendor.

In addition, Verizon announced that Nokia Siemens Networks and Alcatel-Lucent have been selected as key suppliers for the IP Multi-Media Subsystem (IMS) network. IMS will be a cornerstone technology in the evolution of Verizon's services infrastructure, and the network operator plans to offer IMS-based IP converged applications and services on its wireless and landline broadband networks.

Lynch said building and offering commercial services over Verizon Wireless' LTE network, while also expanding its FiOS fiber network, is a consistent and complimentary strategy focused on a committed future in broadband. As has been previously reported, Verizon's total capital expenditures totaled roughly US$17 billion US in 2008. Lynch noted that LTE network costs would be within the company's overall program as spending shifts from older technologies to new strategic initiatives, such as LTE. The company expects to maintain commercial service on its 3G service well into the next decade.

"Vodafone is pleased to endorse Verizon Wireless' decision to select these vendors as part of their LTE deployment plans in the United States," said Steve Pusey, global chief technology officer for Vodafone. "As well as supporting these plans for the United States market, Vodafone continues to work in close cooperation with Verizon Wireless on a range of initiatives designed to drive the commercial development of LTE, including an extensive program of trials."

4G/LTE Innovation Center

Lynch also announced that Verizon Wireless expects to foster creative solutions by creating the Verizon LTE Innovation Center, which will be based in the suburban Boston community of Waltham, Mass. With support from founding partners Ericsson and Alcatel-Lucent, Lynch said the mission of the Innovation Center is to be the catalyst for early development of non-traditional products for use on LTE networks. A number of (unnamed) companies have already expressed interest in the Center.

Trials and Deployment

Utilizing their existing spectrum, Verizon Wireless and Vodafone have been field testing 4G LTE networks in Minneapolis, Columbus, Ohio, and Northern New Jersey in the United States, as well as in Budapest, Dusseldorf, and Madrid in Europe, with a variety of network infrastructure providers. These field trials have demonstrated download rates of 50 to 60 Mbps peak speeds, though actual average download results will not be determined until the commercial launch of the new network. Utilizing its recently acquired 700 MHz spectrum, Verizon Wireless will expand trials this summer, and Lynch said the company will commercially launch its LTE network in 2010. Once the initial rollout is complete, plans are in place for aggressive deployment throughout Verizon Wireless' entire network, including areas not currently covered by the existing Verizon Wireless footprint.

By leveraging its 700 MHz spectrum for LTE deployment, Verizon Wireless expects to be able to deploy a wireless broadband network with coverage and in-building penetration, all at a cost structure significantly below current levels.

Posted to the site on 18th February 2009